To mark the start of CONNECTA 2 sub-project ‘Implementation Support to Establish Rail Passenger Operations in Albania’, a kick-off meeting was held on 3 October 2024. The meeting was attended by the representatives of the Directorate for Administration of EU financial assistance, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy of Albania, Albanian Railways (HSH), the EIB, EBRD, JASPERS and the CONNECTA 2 team.
The European Union and its partners remain fully committed to supporting strategic projects for the development and modernisation of the railway sector in Albania. Albania’s rail infrastructure, mainly built between 1947 and 1987 has been deteriorating gradually due to lack of funds and insufficient maintenance. The earthquake that hit the country in 2019 also caused heavy damages. The Albanian Government is currently on an ambitious programme to rebuild, modernise and electrify over 75% of its rail network over the course of the next decade.
Investments for rehabilitation and modernisation are ongoing on the main parts of the network: Tirana-Durres (including a new link to Tirana’s airport), Vorë-Hani i Hotit (close to the border with Montenegro) and Durres-Rrogozhine-Pogradec. Electrification of the network is largely taking place in parallel with the infrastructure projects.
To prepare for the operational phase and in line with the country’s reform agenda, Albanian Railways (HSH) needs to develop a framework Public-Service Contract, i.e. to establish a Rail Passenger Operation in line with EU standards by the beginning of 2026 and to subsequently expand this as the network is modernised.
The objective of CONNECTA 2’s technical assistance is to provide comprehensive and reliable inputs for establishment of said Rail Passenger Operations, comprising:
- Phase 1: Gap assessment of the current situation, demand study and operations concept, estimation of the compensation payments, review of the preferred solution; and
- Phase 2: develop financial model and technical specifications for rolling stock, prepare a fare Strategy, draft Public-Service Contract (PSC), support the PSC tendering procedure and develop a final PSC.
The successful establishment of the Rail Passengers Operations will promote the overall financial and institutional sustainability of the Albanian rail sector, ensure better use of the rail network and related deployment of digital and interoperable systems for train control and safety, and promote multimodal transport solutions fully aligned with the Guidelines for the Implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans embedded in the Economic and Investment Plan. In addition, it will allow for flexible expansion of services, encompassing also international integration.
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Additional information on the assignment can be obtained by contacting Chris Germanacos, CONNECTA 2 Team Leader, at chris.germanacos@connecta-ta.eu.